Greetings from Chicago

I’m back in business and in Chicago tonight after a few days off while the Reds were in Pittsburgh. I decided to drive the trip since it was only three days and it’s been a long time since I’ve done that. Coolest sight — what seemed like hundreds of windmills in Indiana along I-65.

For today’s off day story, I wrote about Aroldis Chapman. It will be interesting to when he gets the call. Both GM Walt Jocketty and Minor League director Terry Reynolds feel he is ready. Now it’s a matter of a spot opening up.

Although I missed the last series, I read the report on Russ Springer’s hip injury. That could be one opening if it’s serious. If not, we’ll have to wait and see.

*Tonight at Triple-A Louisville in his second rehab start, Homer Bailey had a very strong line of seven scoreless innings with six hits, no walks and nine strikeouts while pitching against Norfolk. Bailey threw 102 pitches, 66 strikes.

*I did a radio interview today where I was asked about how the Reds will clear a 40-man roster spot for Chris Dickerson when he is ready to come up. I was hesitant to answer, in part, because I was driving and didn’t have a roster in front of me (Now wouldn’t that be distracted driving?). For now, Dickerson is in California after a death in his family.

*After thinking it over a while, two possible short term solutions to get Dickerson back the 40-man would be to move either Bailey or Aaron Harang to the 60-day disabled list. Even if Bailey moved there, he’d already be eligible to come off when he’s ready. Harang last pitched on June 30 and could come back by Sept. 1. Since he hasn’t started a rehab assignment yet, I’d imagine that wouldn’t cost him any more time than he’s already missing. Of course, that would mean another move was ahead but one at a time.

*A few weeks ago, I wondered if Dickerson might get optioned to Louisville when his rehab is done. Now I have plenty of doubts about that, especially when he’s hitting .442 (19-for-43) with three homers, seven RBIs, nine walks and six steals in 13 games during his rehab assignment. And that is happening while Drew Stubbs is in a 1-for-37 skid with the Reds.

3 Comments

I will not lie — I have never heard of that rule in 10 seasons of covering a team. I’m not saying you’re wrong though, I’ve just never heard that. I thought Sept. 1 would be the cutoff since that’s when postseason rosters have to be set.

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